A moment of contemplation for yourself or on behalf of others on everything from the life-altering to the mundane.Prayer: A conversation with The Higher Other who lives within each of us. An invitation to vent, to re-think, to ask, and to rest.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Prayers of the People: Busy is as Busy Doesn't, 9th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

This is what the Lord GOD showed me ~ a basket of summer fruit...Then the LORD said to me, "The end has come upon my people, Israel..."[Amos 8:1, 2b]

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will give you thanks for what you have done and declare the goodness of your name in the presence of the godly. [Psalm 52: 8-9]

And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death...provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith... [Colossians 1:21-22, 23a]

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her. [Luke 10:41-42]

We're all so very busy despite all sorts and conditions of modern technology in our western culture that is supposed to encourage and allow more leisure time. Yet even our vacations are busy before, during, and after, to the point of exhaustion; and, in everyday life there is always so much more to be done. At home, at work, at Church - organize, plan, prepare, meet, discuss, re-organize, re-plan. Think: Christmas and Easter - oh the lists, the shopping, the food, the interminable interruptions of the other parts of life such as weddings, births, sickness, and those always inconvenient deaths. And if you have children or teens at home, there are a thousand other things to do. Naturally we know that once everything settles down, we can get on with the business of the God and faith stuff. Well, except that as a volunteer, ministry participant, committee chair, or by just showing up on Sunday, God's business does get done, but where is the livinginfaith in all of that?

Yes, we try to do good work in God's name which is all well and fine as long as we remember to do what we do, and occasionally mention, that it is all in God's name. So, as soon as time permits, I'll remember to trust in the mercy of God and give thanks, and declare the goodness of God's name, and be securely established and steadfast in the faith in the midst of all that the Marthas in my life and I think I should be doing.

I saw a sign today that said, "Someday is not on the calendar." Busy may accomplish earth-bound tasks in the life where someday never arrives. But being merely busy doesn't draw us closer to Christ. Let us choosethe better part of the God-given life we have, a Mary-er life in faith.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:
~ God of Fullness
and Refuge, help us to be as constant and vigorous as a green olive tree, securely
established in living the truth of the Gospel, and not be turned and wilted as
quickly as a basket of summer fruit, in the heat of difficult times.

Lord,
in Your Mercy

RESPONSE: Keep us steadfast in our faith

~ God of Fullness and Refuge, strengthen our
resolve to reveal Your Word to all dominions, rulers, and powers, in every
corner of this world, great and small, that the hearts and minds of all earthly
leaders are reconciled to You for the sake of all Your peoples. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions

Lord,
in Your Mercy

Keep us steadfast in our faith

~
God of Fullness and Refuge, restore the
health and hope of those burdened with chronic pain in body, mind, or spirit,
and refresh all who bring them comfort and care. We now join our voices to pray
aloud for those in need…

add your own petitions

Lord,
in Your Mercy

Keep us steadfast in our faith

~ God of Fullness and Refuge, we give You thanks
and praise for the joy of eternal life in glory now bestowed on those we have
loved in this life. We pray especially for:

add your own petitions

Lord,
in Your Mercy

Keep us steadfast in our faith

~ God of Fullness
and Refuge, we pause in this moment
to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…

add your own petitions

Lord,
in Your Mercy

Keep us steadfast in our faith

~ God of Fullness
and Refuge, look with favor upon those who serve You in Your Church and shepherd
our souls to follow in the footsteps of Christ together. We pray especially
for:

add your own petitions

Lord,
in Your Mercy

Keep us steadfast in our faith

The Celebrant adds: Lord
God, of Promise and Presence, free us from the traps
of worry, busyness, and distraction we set for ourselves, estranging us from
You. Infuse us with the wisdom to choose the better and everlasting part of the
life you have given us to live. We ask through Jesus, Firstborn of All Creation,
and the Holy Spirit, our Wonderful Counselor, who together with You are One God,
forever and ever. Amen.

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